November 02, 2007, 9:00AM

Next on to the budget and how it's run: Roy Martin says he believes the school budget is spent wisely but that teaching to the MCAS is what is hurting schools. According to Martin, if a kid fails the MCAS test the first time, he won't come back to finish school the next year. Then he asked where the "full-rounded... Full story »

November 02, 2007, 8:43AM

On to education: Roy Martin said he can't talk about it without the papers like Clare has in front of him. Higgins responded that this is all public record and he can get his own. Tacy stated that education is paramount spending must be more effective. Higgins: The school committee and board is doing a good job and she salutes... Full story »

November 02, 2007, 8:38AM

The topic of exit 19 is raised and the new design expected from the state. Tacy says he doesn't think it's a good idea. He doesn't see the need for bigger roads. Keeping the roads the size that they are maintains the quality of life for the neighborhoods and wider ones lead to more development. Higgins does not disagree with... Full story »

November 02, 2007, 8:30AM

The question of development was posed and Roy Martin took that opportunity to challenge the Mayor to name at least seven projects that are bringing more industrial projects to the city. As the second half of the challenge came out of Martin's mouth, the Mayor reached down into her bag and brought out a yellow folder, licked her thumb and... Full story »

November 02, 2007, 8:14AM

In response to Chris Cllin's question about how they will unify the city, Tacy said the Republican, Gazette, WHMP are not the Mayor's PR department. The administration must improve its communication to the city. It's not up to the media to draw information out of the city. It's a team sport. Higgins thoughts on the topic: She doesn't agree that... Full story »

November 02, 2007, 8:05AM

After smoothing out a slight WI-FI gaffe, I'm ready to catch up with this live debate between the three mayoral candidates for the city of Northampton - current Mayor Clare Higgins, Roy Martin, and write-in candidate Gene Tacy. Grab a coffee and let's go! Full story »

October 31, 2007, 4:06PM

Ward One Councilor Maureen Carney is running unopposed but even if she had opposition, I don't think that would change her position on the issues. Originally from Dorchester, Carney came to the Valley to attend UMass. She remembers working at the Common Woman Restaurant and Club on Masonic Street as well as a Main Street in Northampton that was one-third... Full story »

October 29, 2007, 12:50PM

Roy Martin carries around a business card that says "Professional Candidate." No one qualifies more than a man who is running his seventh campaign for Mayor of Northampton. His quest began against Mayor Mary Ford who suggested Roy run for public office. Full story »

October 25, 2007, 12:09PM

This isn't the first time Kathleen Silva has challenged David Murphy. She unsuccessfully ran in the 2005 election, losing "by approximately 92 votes," according to Silva's tally. And that's not all she's counted. Silva has kept a very close eye on her challenged voting record and attendance at City Council meetings Full story »

October 25, 2007, 11:56AM

Former Ward 2 City Councilor and Smith College Professor Emeritus of Psychology Fran Volkmann is throwing her hat into the rowdy ring of city politics once again. This time she's going for one of the two seats on the Community Preservation Committee. Volkmann first arrived in the Valley as a first-year student at Mt. Holyoke College where she received a... Full story »

October 24, 2007, 10:46AM

The gloves may still be on but there is a rumble brewing in Ward 7. Northampton native son George J. Russell Jr. is challenging Northampton's other native son Ray Labarge for the Ward 7 seat on the City Council (think of them as native cousins.) It's a David versus Goliath-sized fight. Ray is going for his 11th term in office,... Full story »

October 22, 2007, 3:45PM

On the front page of the Northampton city Web site is an offer to all who visit to join the E-mail lists for the Office of Planning and Development (OPD - Yeah, you know me!), the Mayor's occasional newsletter and alerts from the DPW (especially handy when the snow starts to fly.) I joined all three and as result know... Full story »

October 22, 2007, 2:53PM

In their respective podcasts, both City Councilors Michael Bardsley and Ray LaBarge made reference to the proposed ordinance to more incorporate public discussion and feedback in the City Council process. Today, Daryl LaFleur sent the two drafts circulating, the original from Bardsley and an amended version written by Ward 4 City Councilor David Narkewicz. They're decidedly different. Narkewicz is a... Full story »